Authorities in North Carolina are searching for a teen suspect wanted in connection with the deaths of an 18-year-old high school student and a 14-year-old girl. The victims were both found dead by men riding ATVs over the weekend, according to the New York Daily News.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office announced that the 17-year-old suspect, who has not been identified, is facing two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the killings of 18-year-old Devin Clark and 14-year-old Lyric Woods.
Sheriff Charles Blackwood issued a statement, saying that through the hard work of his investigators and the assistance of personnel from many other law enforcement agencies, they have identified a suspect in this case.
Clark and Woods were found dead near a power-line easement in Orange County
He added that they will now work with local, state, and federal authorities to apprehend and present the suspect to the court system. Since December 2019, suspects who are 16- and 17-year-old that commit serious crimes in North Carolina are not automatically charged as adults in the state.
A juvenile petition was filed against the teen suspect on Tuesday, September 20, launching the process to have the juvenile tried as an adult in North Carolina's superior court system.
A pair of men on four-wheelers discovered the bodies of Woods and Clark near a power-line easement in the western part of Orange County around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 18. The victims, who loved ones described as friends, each suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
The sheriff's office said Clark and Woods were reported missing over the weekend. According to WRAL, the victims were found just more than two miles from the home of Woods.
Blackwood said that he wants to thank the families of Devin Clark and Lyric Woods for trusting them and the investigative process during this excruciatingly painful time. He hopes this suspect's apprehension will comfort them as they mourn their loved ones.
Clark remembered with a balloon release at Eastern Alamance High School
Clark was remembered on Monday with a balloon release at his school. He played football at Eastern Alamance High School, according to Fox News. Family, friends, and schoolmates remembered him there on Monday night. Dozens gathered in the stadium with blue and black balloons to pay tribute to Clark.
A steady stream of football players moved in silence and with a purpose onto the field as they remembered their fellow teammate. Erik Battle said it hurts to lose his childhood friend of about 15 years. For Battle, Clark was not just his friend; he was also a brother, and they took him away.
Friends, students, school leaders, and family members stood alongside one another in grief, leaving all of their emotions on the field. Local parent Alexandria Blackwell said it is hard to see these students grieve over something they should not have.
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